The Pros And Cons Of Health Care Policy

A health care policy is a decision, plan and actions are taken to achieve the specific health care goals within a society. A healthcare policy outlines a vision for the future which in turn helps to establish targets and points of reference for the short and medium term. It also outlines priorities and the expected roles of different groups and builds consensus and informs people (World Health Organization, 2016). Beginning from the Florence Nightingale, there were many examples of individual nurses throughout the history of nursing profession demonstrated their capability to shape health. This has been done through introducing policy proposals, changing or vetoing others proposals and significantly influencing the implementation of health

Any nurse who are interested in making a policy change can find a way to become a confident advocate. Once the nurse is aware of a situation in which a policy change can improve the health care environment or the delivery system, the nurse can move to explore the pros and cons of possible solutions and then work to get others interested and involved in the issue. Depending on one’s confidence level and the position of issue in the policy process, one can discuss these issues and merits of the solution at public meetings, lobby decision makers, and/ or work with the media to bring attention to the problem and proposed solutions. Many issues are too big or complex and may need concerted efforts of many advocates working together to bring about a common goal (Abood,

Even after making the high awareness of flu vaccination, people are still reluctant to get vaccination. Influenza is a serious disease that can cause hospitalization and even death. Every flu season is varied and influenza infection can affect people inversely. In the United States, from 1976 to 2007, the estimated death associated with flu range from a low of about 3000 to a high of about 49000 people. During the recent flu season, 80% to 90% flu associated deaths occurred in people 65 year and older. During the flu season, flu viruses circulate in a higher level in the U.S population, therefore it is important to receive an annual flu vaccine during the flu season to prevent the spread of flu viruses. When more people get vaccinated against flu, less chances of flu virus to spread through community. Everyone six months of age and older must receive a flu vaccine in every flu season. This recommendation has been in place from February 24, 2010 when Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advisory committee recommended universal flu vaccination in the United States to improve the protection against flu (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Even after the implementation of this universal vaccination policy, many people including health care providers are still hesitant to receive the flu vaccination. It is mandatory in all organization to screen the